Negotiating Salary When Salary Range is Posted (applying, employers, jobs)

[Miss Crabcakes]

Was just thinking.

I've posted a thread before on how I wish all job postings would posting the salary range and many responded that in doing so, you then lose the ability to negotiate the salary later. At least from the employers end or something like that.

So does that mean if a job posting has a salary range listed, you cannot negotiate beyond that point?

Has anyone ever done it with success?

Also, when applying for a job with a salary range posted of say $45k - $55k, what determines whether you will be offered the lower or the higher?

I ask this because out of the jobs I have gotten, none have had a salary range posted upfront and I usually didn't find out the wage until the offer came. Unless it was hourly, where I knew the exact wage upfront (no range).

[fishbrains]

Depends a lot on the employer. Governments and universities often post a range that is from $45,000-$70,000 (or whatever).The $45k number is for people with little experience, no time in service, and minimum qualifications. The top number is for people who have spent 20 years or so at that salary grade with that employer.

Initial placement is usually pretty formulaic. You get placed on the lowest step, unless you have years of qualifying service, exceptional experience, or additional credentials. This might put you up about 20%-30% of the way up the range, but rarely much more.

The custom for private employers varies wildly. As a rule of thumb they are more likely to hire into upper levels of the salary range, but the range is usually smaller, as they are advertising only the lower end to begin with. In other words, they would not advertise 45-70, but only 45-55.

[Hemlock140]

We show the range, and don't say this but cannot by policy offer more than the midpoint. The salary must be between starting and midpoint and we offer based on how badly we want the person, and whether there are any candidates "close".
If this person stands head and shoulders above the rest we will go ahead and offer midpoint but tell them that's as high as we can go.

[confusedasusual]

I can speak directly about the federal range (GS pay scale).

Offers are typically at step one of any grade. Usually the lowest point in the scale. You can only negotiate if:

--you have a lot of experience doing the SAME job
--you are currently doing the SAME job in the private sector for a lot more money
--the job you are going to is difficult to fill
-- the job you are going to is not entry level, or even mid level in most cases
-- you previously worked for the federal government at a higher pay level.

Right now, many gov't entities are under hiring restrictions due to sequestration. Its not a great time to ask for more money.

[bande1102]

Yes, I have negotiated and received more than the posted range. This was a private company. They offered the top of the scale. I asked the company recruiter if that was the best she could do. She said,yes, not an option to go higher, that's why they put in the ad, etc; so I said I'd think about it. I also mentioned that I was a sure thing: I had very specific credentials and experience that I knew they wanted. She called back the next day with a better offer.

[Exhibit_B]

thread hasn't been updated since July, but i'll comment anyways. someone may find it helpful...

its hit or miss.. i applied to a position that listed salary and gave my salary requirements above the listed range. the countered with the top again, and when i was close to accepting it they said the position wasn't available anymore. instead they were looking for a more mid-level position to be filled. the recruiter that brought me in said he noticed they listed the same position again, but with a lower salary rate ?!@!!?